The production of mechanical troops inherently required time. These dangerous creations for war couldn't be openly displayed, slowing down the construction significantly.
It would take at least a month for the assembly of 80 combat mechs of two different models to be completed.
This was even after upgrading their skills, greatly increasing the production speed of the assembly line.
Li Lin put aside matters concerning the mechanical troops and the exploration of the Void city of Belveth.
Early the next morning, he got up and bid goodbye to Caitlyn, who was still in bed. Then, he donned his combat suit and flew towards the Piltover University.
The Gaboga plan was nearing its conclusion. Today, the entire fuselage would be assembled and ready for performance testing.
Li Lin descended directly through the skylight into the transformed workshop of the Piltover University.
In the center of the workshop stood the 189-meter tall mechanical giant, Gaboga.
Layer upon layer of scaffolding surrounded it, supporting steel plates used for walking, with Yordle technicians flexibly moving around in every corner.
Human workers, less agile due to their larger size, were responsible for ground work.
As talents of the prestigious Piltover University, everyone had their assigned modules, busy with their essential tasks in an orderly manner.
Behind several hundred mechanical engineers, flames danced from plasma jet devices, groups of three or two flying around in the air, occasionally entering Gaboga or using laser beams on its surface for welding.
In addition, Gaboga's cockpit, its ultimate weapon "Gaboga's Fist" on its right arm, and many compressed rocket missiles hung suspended in mid-air.
A dozen Hextech cranes and various small intelligent robots invented by Heimerdinger were parked around Gaboga's feet like ants.
In this vast space, apart from the clanging of metal and the shimmering of electric welding flashes, there was hardly any other sound.
The technicians briefly noticed Li Lin flying in the air, but in recent days, he had often come here like this, so these people were not surprised.
Gaboga is expected to be completed by 17:28 this evening.
Inside the combat suit, the AI reminded Li Lin.
He quickly landed the combat suit and prepared to go to the temporary workshop to find Heimerdinger.
But just as he arrived at the door, from another nearby blast chamber, Heimerdinger's somewhat alarmed shout suddenly came: "Oh my! Oh my! Dear me, this is a disaster!"
Li Lin turned his head to look, unable to help but be stunned by Heimerdinger's appearance, with his face covered in various oils and dust, completely obscuring his original hair color.
Before he could react, the mechanical engineers behind Heimerdinger immediately closed the blast door.
The next moment, a violent explosion rang out in the blast chamber, causing the entire construction workshop floor to tremble faintly, attracting everyone's attention.
There was a momentary silence in the air.
Heimerdinger's eyes flickered with a hint of embarrassment as he quickly took a handkerchief from Skye, who had hurried over, and casually wiped his dirty face and cleared his throat.
"Ahem... There was a minor mishap in the experiment, but it's not a problem! Everyone, hurry up with your work. We must complete this big guy today!"
Upon hearing the professor's instructions, everyone returned to their busy state.
Later, Heimerdinger saw Li Lin, returned the handkerchief to Skye, and took small steps towards him.
"Good morning, lad," Heimerdinger waved to greet him.
But Li Lin's attention was not on Heimerdinger at all. "Professor, what just happened?"
His gaze stayed on the blast chamber in the distance, where the automated firefighting facilities had already extinguished the flames, and several mechanical engineers had opened the blast door, preparing to clean up the debris and fragments inside.
"Well... hehe~~" Heimerdinger stroked his beard, smiled somewhat embarrassedly, and nodded when Li Lin had some clue about the explosion.
Sure enough, Heimerdinger's next words confirmed his guess: "I studied your Matter Projection Cannon and its upgraded version, the Megaton Cannon, and drew some conclusions. I wanted to verify them."
When it came to scientific matters, Heimerdinger seemed to be infused with energy, as if he had completely forgotten about the explosion that had just startled him.
"Your Megaton Cannon is an incredibly massive kinetic energy cannon. Even its smallest caliber is about five meters and can only be installed on a fixed axis-based weapon..."
He pointed to the fusion reactor on Gaboga's chest.
According to Li Lin's design concept, the Megaton Cannon's power was too immense. If installed on Gaboga's left arm, just two or three shots at over 50% power output would render it unusable.
Even high-density compression materials and the Hextech steel plating developed by Heimerdinger couldn't withstand it.
Helplessly, the main cannon of Gaboga used the "deformation" form, directly installed on the outside of the fusion reactor, continuously connecting to the energy core to absorb energy.
When in use, a huge fixed axis-based cannon would rapidly extend and assemble to store energy and fire special projectiles loaded inside, striking targets from ultra-long distances.
According to the AI's estimate, with Piltover as the center, the maximum range at full power could cover Noxus' Immortal Bastion several thousand kilometers away, easily enough to destroy this densely populated town.
These were designs Li Lin had created, and he naturally understood them all, so he stared at Heimerdinger with a puzzled look.
"Ahem... Actually, your Megaton Cannon's power far exceeds all our current weapons, but its limitations are too great."
Heimerdinger's expression became serious. "It can only load one special cannonball each time, and it takes at least one minute to charge to 100% power, which is too inefficient."
"In my opinion, it should be used as a city-defense weapon... I mean, to use it strategically as a city-defense weapon, only as a last resort for such attacks."
Li Lin shook his head in explanation, "If used only for defensive combat or on the battlefield, Gaboga's other weapon systems, such as the energy arc laser, energy particle javelin, and Matter Projection Cannon, are already sufficient."
"No no no, you misunderstand me."
Clearly, what Heimerdinger wanted to express was not what Li Lin understood.
"I understand your idea, I actually think the same... But what I mean is, since it's already a strategic weapon, why can't we continue to upgrade it? For example... increase power output?"
Wow...
Your idea is quite dangerous, Professor!
Just over a year ago at the Council meeting, you were still against weapon production and hoping for peace.
Li Lin widened his eyes slightly, feeling somewhat surprised by Heimerdinger's change of heart.
Without giving him a chance to speak, Heimerdinger lowered his large head and rubbed his pitch-black chin with his hand.
"Your design concept is novel, using several technologies I haven't seen before... But through the Megaton Cannon, I discovered something. Its power can actually be further increased!"
Heimerdinger suddenly spread his hands, making an "explosion" gesture, excitement shining in his eyes. "If the Megaton Cannon is upgraded again... upgraded to a Gigaton Cannon, what do you think?"
Isn't this a new technology I can unlock at level 60?
Li Lin forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart. He realized that he had underestimated Heimerdinger's intelligence.
Even without system-provided technology, he could find further ways through reverse engineering of his own design drawings.
Li Lin suddenly felt that even with the Mechanical Engineer System, in some respects, he was still no match for this "Tech Pope" who had been researching science for thousands of years.
However...
Considering Heimerdinger's rather rough character, he obviously didn't realize the consequences of upgrading to a Gigaton Cannon.
Both cities would be buried with him because of his actions.
If possible... no, it must be done.
Li Lin couldn't let Heimerdinger proceed with the upgrade to the Gigaton Cannon. It would be better to wait until he reached level 60 and unlocked this weapon technology.
"Your idea is good... Professor, but I think we should take it step by step. We must learn to walk before we can run in this."
Li Lin intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the blast chamber Heimerdinger had just emerged from.
Heimerdinger noticed Li Lin's gaze, apparently realizing what he meant to convey.
"Oh yes~~ I must be more careful. It's better to start with the basics..."
"No, what I mean is..." Li Lin took a deep breath. "In fact, I'm already researching the Gigaton Cannon. Just give me some time, and you don't need to waste time on this."
Thank you for your generosity!
(End of Chapter)
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